Chief & News, Events, Tips & Techniques, Training & Tradeshows

How to Prepare for Chief AcademyFeatured

Red umbrellas over tables of happy people

Author, Kerry Hansen By Kerry Hansen

Chief Academy is an excellent way to get inspired. Spend two and a half days learning new skills to increase your knowledge of the software. Connect with our staff, network with industry peers, test drive new products, get answers to your questions, and more. As a class participant, there are several things you can do to help prepare and ensure your success during your time at Chief Academy.

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Tips & Techniques

3D Plumbing & Plumbing Isometrics in Chief ArchitectFeatured

A 3D Plumbing and HVAC plan made in Chief Architect Software.

Phillip Gibney Profile Image by Phillip Gibney

A plumbing system is a network of pipes, fittings, fixtures, and valves that delivers water where needed throughout the home while safely removing wastewater. While often one of the more underappreciated and unnoticed parts of a house, a well-built plumbing system is critical in ensuring health and sanitation.

With potentially hundreds of feet of piping navigating through a home’s structure, envisioning how a plumbing system is built can be challenging. 3D plumbing isometrics solves this challenge by allowing designers and contractors to visualize in far greater detail how a plumbing system may come together. This can help avoid problems during construction by highlighting conflicts between the plumbing system and the home’s structural components. For example, by visualizing in 3D where the plumbing lines are running, you could easily recognize a scenario such as a floor joist interfering with the placement of a toilet flange and its respective wastewater lines. Identifying and correcting such conflicts in the design phase is faster, easier, and less expensive than correcting them in the field.

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Chief & News, Tips & Techniques

How Schools Can Get Started with Chief Architect: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dollhouse Rendering of a house designed in Chief Architect software

Author's Portrait by Kendra Dorosh

Teaching the next generation of building industry professionals starts with providing them with the best tools. Chief Architect is a leading 2D and 3D design software, and our academic licenses provide students with access to the same program used by industry professionals, enabling them to build essential skills with confidence.

“Whether they are taking the class to be a future Interior Designer, Architect, Plumber, Electrician, Landscaper, etc. Chief Architect software sparks interest in all areas, and that is what I want for my students.”

-Bonnie Bents, Worthington High School

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Chief & News, Events, Online Training, Tips & Techniques, Training & Tradeshows

How to Prepare for a Chief Architect Training Class

Scott Harris training a Chief Architect class.

Phillip Gibney Profile Image By Phillip Gibney

Chief Architect offers online and in-person training classes. These classes are an excellent way to increase your knowledge in the software, get your questions answered, connect with our staff, and network with industry peers. As a class participant, there are several things you can do to help prepare and ensure your success in a training class.

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Industry News

Designing Your Dream Home? Top 5 Reasons You Need Home Design Software

The featured house image for Home Designer 2026

Derek's Profile Image by Derek Pedersen

Are you ready to start designing your dream home? With the right home design software, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Use advanced tools to bring your vision to life and ensure you stick to a budget. Home design software will automate the design process making it efficient and easy for you to navigate each step of the way.  Keep reading to discover five key reasons to consider using home design software when planning your next home project.

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Chief & News, Tips & Techniques

Comparing Chief Architect to Home Designer

A Modern House Designed in Chief Architect

Phillip Gibney Profile Image By Phillip Gibney

Chief Architect Software is a leading software developer that focuses on residential home design software. Chief Architect Software offers two products: Chief Architect Premier for design professionals and Home Designer for DIY home enthusiasts. This blog article will explore the differences between the two software products and the advantages of using Chief Architect Premier if your profession is designing or building.

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Chief & News, Industry News, Tips & Techniques

Launch Your Design Career with a Chief Architect Apprentice Certification

Chief Architect Certified Apprentice Logos

Author's Portrait by Kendra Dorosh

Are you a high school student passionate about architecture, home design, or interior planning? The Chief Architect Apprentice Certifications are an excellent way to build in-demand design skills, earn respected credentials, and prepare for your future — all while meeting key standards of high-quality industry-based certifications.

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Chief & News, Industry News

The Best Professional Home Design Software and Why You Should Consider Using Chief Architect

A Modern House Designed in Chief Architect

Phillip Gibney Profile Image By Phillip Gibney

Chief Architect is professional residential design software for home builders, remodelers, architects, and interior designers. Known for its ease of use, automated workflow, and seamless 2D and 3D integration, the software enables professionals to create floor plans, construction documents, and photorealistic 3D renders quickly and in high detail.

Chief Architect is the most popular software for home and interior design – used by more designers than any other residential design software. Why?  Its ease of use, automated building tools, and 3D visualization.   It enables professionals to design, create construction drawings for permits, produce 3D renderings, and share interactive 3D models with clients.

If you are hand drafting, using a traditional CAD program, or using different design software, you may be wondering why you should make the switch to Chief Architect. While every designer has unique software needs or reasons for changing programs, Chief Architect can significantly streamline your workflow, boost productivity, enhance accuracy, and provide an immersive visualization experience for your clients, helping you bring designs to life with greater efficiency and impact.

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Chief & News, Industry News

Maximizing Small Spaces: Designing Compact Kitchens with Chief Architect Software

A bright U-shaped kitchen with dark lower cabinets, white subway tile walls, open wood shelving, and a large farmhouse sink overlooking a scenic sunflower field rendered in Chief Architect.

Profile image of Danielle Schroeder By Danielle Taylor

Designing a small kitchen can be both a challenge and an opportunity. With limited square footage, every inch matters, and thoughtful planning becomes crucial. Fortunately, with powerful software tools like Chief Architect (For design professionals) and Home Designer (For DIY’ers), even the smallest kitchen can be transformed into a highly functional and stylish space. Let’s explore effective strategies for small kitchen design, including the best layout options, innovative storage solutions, space-saving tips using design software, and how thoughtful choices in lighting and materials can open up your kitchen visually.

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